Today, we have some really great information on the benefits of chocolate from our Research and Development Group Leader, Lynn. Not only does Lynn work in the RightSize Test Kitchen, but she is also a mom. Here is what she has to say about yummy, delicious chocolate.

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Did you know that the flavor in RightSize Lean Cocoa Bean is not only great tasting, but it is also good for you? Lean Cocoa Bean gets its great taste from cocoa powder which contains high levels of polyphenols.  Polyphenols can be found in many common foods, such as blueberries, cranberries, red wine, and dark chocolate.  These polyphenols act as antioxidants which have many health benefits.  Many studies have shown that antioxidants from cocoa may improve cardiovascular health by:

- Improving blood flow
- Helping maintain healthy cholesterol levels
- Reducing blood pressure

It is also essential to get regular exercise and eat a balanced diet, and RightSize can help you do it.

My goal to live healthy in 2012 isn't just for myself; it's for my husband and kids too. But sometimes living a healthy lifestyle is a challenge when it becomes a family goal. Here are some tried and true strategies that have worked for me and my crew - they'll help your family live healthier and happier too!

1. Play together
Planning play times together is a lot more fun than a trip to the gym and you can burn just as many calories. Games like tag, hide-n-seek and kickball are easy to do at home and are a great workout for everyone. You might also try making up a family dance - one of the favorites at my house. Pick a song and work on the groovy moves together. You'll be bonding and doing something good for your health, plus your kids will sleep like little angels at the end of the day. 

2. Snack smart
Getting my kids to eat healthy was a challenge at first. Let's be honest - no one wants plain celery sticks when potato chips are sitting there waiting in the cupboard. One of the best ways to get kids excited about eating healthy,  especially the little ones who are particularly picky, is to incorporate fun colors into every meal. Think bright orange sweet potatoes, rich green beans, vivid yellow pineapple - all the colors of the rainbow make eating and snacking both fun and healthy.

3. Shop together
I found that having my kids come to the grocery store with me is a great way to teach them about healthy foods and encourage them to make nutritious decisions for themselves. For example, by exploring the fresh produce section or the all-natural food aisle together, I can point out what options are delicious and nutritious. Then I let them choose something for themselves. The next time they want a snack, they frequently pick what I let them choose at the store, so both mom and the kids feel like winners. 

4. Remember rewards
Having a healthy family isn't about depriving them of anything - it's all about balance. So when my family eats a healthy dinner, I let them have a small treat for dessert. Maybe everyone gets a cookie or a scoop of sorbet. If my son makes a healthy snack decision, I let him stay outside for an extra 15 minutes to play. As the parent, I think it's important to acknowledge my kids' efforts and make sure they know I'm proud of them.

5. Practice what you preach
Whether they say it or not, kids look up to their parents. I want to show my kids that I make healthy choices in my life and expect them to do the same. When I'm having a meal replacement drink, my kids sit and eat a healthy breakfast or lunch with me. When I skip soda and opt for water, it shows my kids it's a smart choice for them too. Living by example is so important, so be sure to practice what you preach.

Make 2012 the Year of Positive Thinking

It's the start of 2012 - a time for renewed ambition toward all life's goals. For me, the new year is the perfect time for a fresh outlook. My goal is to live a good life that benefits my body, mind and soul - not only for me, but also so I can be a good role model for my children.

My health has been a priority for some time now, and I'm lucky to have found success in managing my weight. By making healthier nutrition decisions, along with exercising and having meal replacement shakes pretty much daily, I continue to reach my goals. But there is one more important part of my equation for success: the power of positive thinking.

Weight loss is difficult. There is no easy quick fix. But you can do it with dedication, a solid plan, and the help of positive thinking. Do not get down on yourself; it will only set you up to fail. You must stay positive about every step you take, no matter how big or small. Remember, managing weight is a journey, not a destination. A healthy lifestyle is a choice you make each and every day.

Not only do you need to stay positive yourself, you need to surround yourself with positive people who support your goals. By having optimistic, supportive friends and family, you'll be more positive yourself, and sticking to tough resolutions, like losing weight, is more easily achieved.

So as you start the new year, I wish you the best of luck on your weight loss goals and any resolutions you have made. By believing in yourself and staying positive, anything can be achieved.

Happy 2012 to you all!

Do you ever get the snack attacks? Those moments when you have an intense craving that won't go away? I do, and the cravings can range from the need for something crunchy, like chips or crackers, to something super sweet, like candy or cake.

I have some secret weapons against the snack attacks. By giving myself a healthier version of what I want, I satisfy my cravings and give my body the vitamins and nutrients it really needs. Here are three common cravings and the simple solutions:

1. I need something crunchy now!
Oh the crunch of salty potato chips - it's something that goes back to my childhood. But because my metabolism isn't what it used to be, I need a smarter alternative. My solution: crunchy fresh veggies. No matter what time of year it is, you can't beat the fresh flavor and satisfying crunch of vegetables like carrots, cucumber, peppers, celery and cauliflower. For some extra pizzazz I like to add a low-fat dip or some spicy hummus.

2. I need soda now!
Soda is as American as apple pie. Unfortunately those satisfying bubbles are full of empty calories and huge amounts of sugar. If you need to wet your whistle and H2O just won't do, I suggest turning to fresh juice. If you're ambitious, squeeze your own for a flavor that will make your tongue dance. If you're short on time, be sure to choose 100 percent juice options when at the store. Still craving the bubbles? Mix half juice and half seltzer or mineral water for a bubbly treat. 

3. I need a sweet treat now!
Oh the dreaded sweet tooth - it can really take a bite out of any healthy diet  plans. When I need something sweet, I turn to RightSize Smoothies for sweet satisfaction that helps me cut calories while giving me the nutrition I need for the day. Here is one of my favorite recipes for when I need something sweet - make it a meal or have it as a snack and share with a friend: 

Holiday Chocolate Mint Blizzard
Lean Cocoa Bean - 29.1 g. or 1 scoop 97.01 kcal
6 oz. skim milk 60.0 kcal
4 pieces Andes Candies 100.0 kcal
6 ice cubes

TOTAL: 257.01 kcal

Family functions, visiting relatives, and holiday parties seem to take us away from exercise and conscientious food choices, as we focus our attention on enjoying life, eating, drinking and good company.

Follow these simple holiday tips and tricks to maintain:

Exercise.  It can be hard to maintain your exercise schedule during the busy holiday season. Take time each day to exercise; if you have to rearrange your exercise time to fit it into the holiday frenzy, do so. Take a brisk walk, do a few sit ups or lift some hand weights. It all helps.

Portion Sizes.  Find yourself overindulging during the holidays? Me, too. It is okay for you to eat some of your favorite holiday foods, so no need to feel guilty about it! The trick is to not eat too much. Just make a good choice about the portion size. My rule of thumb, I never eat more than a small fist full of dad’s yams. That’s my indulgence. Mmmmm.

Sleep.  Celebrating the holidays normally leads to less sleep. Is it worth being sleep deprived during the holidays? No. Sleep deprivation can cause impaired alertness, blurred vision, slurred speech, muscle weakness, headaches, and weight gain. Make sure to stay well rested. 
 
Snacks.  Oh, the yummy snacks around the holidays. A healthy snack portion of fruits, vegetables, or nuts is always a good choice. But as an alternative, try a half scoop of RightSize Smoothie mix with 4-5 oz. of skim milk. I do this all the time and not only does it taste great, but it keeps me feeling full until my next meal. My favorite snack is Leano Cappuccino!

Drinks.  Eggnog, fruit punch, or mixed drinks all contain calories that can be easily eliminated during the holiday. Instead of having one 10-12 oz glass of eggnog, only have one 4 oz serving of the reduced fat version. Remember drinking water really is the best option, but if you just got to have some of that holiday treat (like me) make a smart choice.

Happy Holidays!

Greetings from RightSize Health & Nutrition!

I'm Michelle and I'm new to the RightSize family. I am a mom of two and have been dieting since having my first child 7 years ago. I'll refer to myself as MKH moving forward, and of course, you will continue to see some great posts from JG and others. Let me what you think! I'm here to share my stories, but would love to hear yours as we go on this journey together.

Best,
MKH

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Doesn't it seem like every week you hear about a new diet that is supposed to help you drop a ton of weight in an astonishingly small amount of time? The claims are often too good to be true, and furthermore, these types of diets frequently turn out to be very unhealthy.

Well, I wanted to cut through the hype and put yo-yo dieting behind me, so I found a solution that works great for my busy lifestyle, and it can work for you too - no superhero wil power required.

RightSize smoothies are helping me reach and maintain my weight loss goals, and with so many decadent options, I honestly forget I'm dieting! Seriously! I simply replace one or two meals a day with a nutritious, delicious and satisfying smoothie. The rest of my day I eat sensible meals and snacks. I don't feel hungry and I lose weight - a win-win in my book. 

Now, I know this might sound hard to do or even hard to believe, but after the first few days, it actually becomes pretty easy. The key is that this option doesn't deprive my body of anything - in fact each smoothie is full of fiber and protein, as well as 50 percent of the recommended daily allowance of more than 20 vitamins and minerals.

Early this morning I had a Leano Cappuccino smoothie and it was just like I went to the expensive coffee houses for an iced coffee, only the healthier version at home. Then I snacked on a piece of fresh fruit and nuts mid-morning which filled me up until lunch time.

No matter what your lifestyle or taste preferences, healthy smoothies can be the key to diet success. I know because it's worked for me.

eat more to lose more!

What?? But don't I have to suffer through my dieting life eating the 1200 calories allotted to me?

Here is a common scenario.  I know because I have lived it over and over again.  You want to lose the weight and you have been told that 3500 calories equals a pound.  To burn two pounds a week, you have to cut 1,000 calories a day through diet and/or exercise. So, you start your 1200 calorie diet.  You lose weight. Then that weight loss stops.  Why?

To make matters worse, some people cut calories even further, or hit the gym hard and heavy.  At this point, some people even see the scale start to creep up!!! Seems cruel doesn't it?

Your metabolism is like a fire.  You have to keep it fueled, and calories are that fuel.  Here is a simple tip to break through that plateau and start losing again.  Eat like your skinny self!!  Seems simple but it is true.  It might even be hard to swallow psychologically since we are so programmed to drastically cut calories in order to be successful.  Want to know how much your skinny self eats?  Its easy to calculate using our Calorie Calculator.  Plug in your goal weight and exercise level, and you will be given your BMR.  The BMR should be your MINIMUM calorie intake.  If you do extra exercise above your usual routine, you should eat those calories back.

Here is an example:

Your BMR at your goal weight is 1400 calories a day at a desk job.
You exercise for 60 minutes and burn 300 calories
You should eat about 1700 calories minimum that day

If you have been undereating for any period of time, your body will need to adjust to this way of eating.  You will initially see some scale weight increase, but it is temporary.  This is how we combat the effects of starvation mode and refuel our metabolisms.  When we undereat, our body burns off muscle and tissue and holds on to fat desperately.  Our cells literally start starving, and you feel hungry and cranky and experience cravings. 

So now you might be asking, what should I eat more of?  Well, for most of us, the answer is going to be quality FAT!  More specifically, I will show you how we should watch our carbohydrate intake, follow a simple protein intake formula, and fill in the rest of our calories with good, healthy fats.  But first, I just want us all to start eating above starvation levels.

We want to provide you with the tools to achieve effortless weight loss.  80% of your body composition is determined by your nutrition.  RightSize, combined with a diet low in processed carbohydrate, high in vegetables, and moderate in protein and healthy fats, can help you reduce your calorie intake, and can encourage your body to burn stored body fat.

Stay tuned! Good stuff to come!

Looking for ways to maximize your diet for weight loss?  Look at some of the foods below that can actually help you curb hunger and lose weight!  I don't know what I would do without my Almonds.  I also regularly take raw Apple Cider Vinegar...have you tried this natural remedy for virtually anything?



http://www.newsoxy.com/health/weight-loss-foods-24051.html
Weight Loss Foods Help To Curb Hunger
By: Andy Hodges - Staff Writer
Published: May 10, 2011

	Weight Loss Foods – A recent study on weight loss foods unveils how to curb hunger. In fact, these foods can help you burn calories faster. We have put together a list to help you drop the unwanted pounds.

Kale – It is high in fiber and low in calories. Kale can help fill you up to curb your hunger. It is also a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin K and vitamin C that boosts the body’s immune and detoxification systems. Eat kale on its own or add it to pasta, salad, soups and other main dishes.

Almonds – These bite-sized nuts pack a punch of protein that helps curb hunger between meals. Raw, unsalted almonds are a healthy snack on their own or make a delicious, crunchy garnish for main courses and salads. Compared to the fattier alternative, almond butter is more rich in vitamin E, iron and calcium.

Oats – Contrary to many fad diets, carbohydrates are not to be feared. Oats are an ideal source of complex carbohydrates that sustain the body and provide the nutritious balance needed for weight loss. Compared with simple carbohydrates, oats slowly releases energy into the body and has less of an impact on the body’s blood sugar.

Vinegar – Recent research shows that the main chemical in vinegar may help control your blood sugar. This helps to aid in weight loss. Vinegar also makes a tangy substitute to creamy sauces and dressing that can be high in fat.